Undersecretary for Pilgrims affairs in the Haj Ministry Sahl Al-Sabban, made the statement in a meeting with the officials of the Tawafa establishments in Makkah.
He said the new projects for the current Haj season include the Holy Sites Railway and the Frequent Transportation Service for Pilgrims from non-Arab African countries and Iran and also for pilgrims from Turkey, Europe, America and Australia and East Asia.
The total number of pilgrims to receive the frequent transportation service, for which SR320 million has been spent, is estimated at 750,000, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He said a new SR250-million floodwater drainage project has also been introduced in Arafat.
In another development, Public Relations Director of the General Presidency for Prophet's Mosque Affairs Abdul Wahid Al-Hattab said in Madinah that the new shading project in the court yards of the Prophet's Mosque covered an area of 104,000 square meters on its three sides and will benefit 200,000 worshippers. As part of the expansion project, 888 toilets and 1,823 taps for ablution have been set up with special provisions for visitors with special needs in the eastern side of the mosque. The project also includes 182 umbrellas installed on poles at the height varying between 14.4 meters and 15.3 meters, he said.
